Final Defendant Pleads Guilty in Fatal East Harlem Shooting of Teen

EAST HARLEM, NY — The final defendant has pleaded guilty to the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Dominick Allen in East Harlem in January 2023, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Wednesday.

Kuran Brown-Wilson, 21, pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court to manslaughter in the first degree, conspiracy in the second degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree on Wednesday. He is expected to be sentenced to 22 years in state prison on June 2.

Prosecutors said Brown-Wilson is the last of three defendants convicted in Allen’s death, which stemmed from a broader gun violence and robbery conspiracy spanning Harlem and the Bronx.

"Kuran Brown-Wilson engaged in a deadly conspiracy that ended Dominick Allen’s young life," Bragg said Wednesday. “Acting in concert with his co-defendants, Brown-Wilson carried out senseless gun violence that jeopardized the safety of multiple New Yorkers and underscores the harm caused by illegal firearms in our communities."

Authorities said the conspiracy involved roughly seven firearms and more than 40 shots fired across four shootings involving eight victims. Two people were struck, including Allen, who was present at multiple incidents.

According to court records, the violence unfolded over Jan. 28 and 29, 2023.

Prosecutors said the group first robbed a Bronx delivery driver at gunpoint, stole his vehicle, and drove into Manhattan, swapping stolen license plates along the way.

In the early hours of Jan. 29, Allen and others allegedly fired nearly 20 shots in Sugar Hill in Harlem, followed by another shooting near the NYCHA Saint Nicholas Houses, where at least 11 shots were fired at an intended target.

Later that day, Brown-Wilson, Allen, and others traveled to the Wilson Houses in East Harlem, where they allegedly opened fire into a crowded residential lobby while searching for rivals. Allen was struck in the back and killed.

Prosecutors said the group initially bypassed a hospital due to police presence before dropping Allen’s body at Harlem Hospital and fleeing.

Brown-Wilson’s co-defendants, Quadiar Diggins and Nyriel Williams, previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter and conspiracy charges and were sentenced to 12 and 10 years in state prison.

Tyrone Burgess was sentenced to 3.5 years after pleading guilty to attempted robbery and conspiracy in a related case.

Prosecutors said a search of Brown-Wilson’s home in June 2023 recovered three loaded firearms. A related indictment against another individual remains pending.

"Shootings are down nearly 70% in Manhattan since I took office, and we remain committed to working with our public safety partners to hold those responsible for gun violence accountable while continuing to drive down this violence," Bragg said.

For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.